Portsmouth swims ahead of the curve

PORTSMOUTH — For the Portsmouth High School swim team, success can be measured not only in wins and losses, but in teamwork, friendships and camaraderie.

By either measure, the season has already been a success for the Clippers, with six athletes who have already qualified for states and more forged friendships and good times than statistics can calculate.

Portsmouth hosted a four-team meet on Saturday against Milford, St. Thomas and Winnacunnet, and while few of the kids could tell you the team scores at any given point, they were cheering and encouraging teammates, regardless of the outcome.

“There is definitely a good team dynamic this year,” said Portsmouth coach Bridget Crompton. “We have a lot of kids who are really supportive of one another, and I think it has a positive impact on their performance. They are good about cheering and screaming for each other.”

The team first attitude is clear when members of the team talk about the high points of the season to date and goals for the remainder of the year.

“I’m looking forward to seeing who will make states,” said sophomore Olivia Nossiff.

Senior Saige Worley said that her goals are not only to make herself better, but also to help her younger teammates.

“As a senior, it is important to improve myself, but also to help the new kids,” Worley said.

“This is a great team, we have great captains, and it is a lot of fun,” added Griffin Moores. “Getting into the water is something you look forward to every day.”

Crompton said those captains — seniors Katia Wyman, Lily McClure, Kyle Watson, Torey Aspinwall and Andrew Samonas, and junior Izzy Steucek — have really set the tone for her team, both in the water and out.

“Some of them lead by example, they are hard workers, the last to leave practice and help clean up,” she said. “Others lead by being very enthusiastic and making sure things are fun, cheering on their teammates.”

That leadership has led the team, which is 40-plus members strong, to steady improvement throughout the year.

Freshman Spencer Schwartz has set the tone in the water for the Clippers, qualifying for states in the 500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 200 IM, and on Saturday he added the 100 free to that list.

Wyman has also had a strong showing already, qualifying in the 500 freestyle, the 100 breaststroke, the 200 IM, and the 200 freestyle.

Taylor Schwartz has qualified for states in the 50 freestyle, while Drew Layman has qualified in the 400 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, and McClure has qualified in diving.

Ian Lichtenstein has qualified in the 100 breaststroke, and Steucek has qualified in the 100 butterfly.

“Only one of our qualifiers so far is a senior also,” Crompton stated. “So we have a strong foundation going forward.”

For the younger members of the team, whether their efforts have translated to success in the pool, or not, the fact that the team is so close-knit has them striving for success.

“Last year was my first year on the team,” said Nosiff. “Seeing the times improve, and getting to challenge yourself, and having the support of your friends is what makes this team great.”

Nathanial Wilson, who said his goal is to reach states this year or next, said he thinks everyone pushes to improve, not just for themselves, but for the team.

“Everybody helps everybody else,” Wilson said. “We all want to get better, but we want everyone else to improve also.”